With the proliferation of older vehicles currently available after the introduction of the Mayor's age limit on Taxis, for just a few pounds, anyone could be out there driving a Taxi.
Just a few weeks ago (20th October 2013), this 23 year old Taxi was spotted in NW1 by one of our readers, plying for hire, with a PCO plate a year out of date.
We have been informed that due to our readers emails to LTPH, this matter has now been resolved.
With no word from LTPH on counterfeiting teams like the one in Surry, it does raise the question:
With hundreds of fake badges and bills in circulation, an the availability of cheap old Taxis, just how many of these snide vehicles are out there working?
The vehicle above was also reported by Taxi Leaks nearly a year ago, working in Camden High Street.
Parked on the Taxi rank, it was being used as a booking office, for a company based in Seven Sisters Road, who's cars were parked along the High Street.
This was reported at the time, but to this day, we have heard nothing back.
Just goes to prove how ineffective the current Badge and Bill compliance initiative really is.
Taxi Leaks strongly believes, the current compliance teams from LTPH, are not fit for purpose and need a complete overhaul plus new leadership.
If this was an allegation of Bus or Tube ticket fraud, more manpower (warranted officers) would be made available, emediatly.
Yet again, when it comes to the licensed Taxi trade, "The Best Taxi Service in The World", public safety is pushed to the back burner.
Photos: thanks to Glen Alutto.